Bag sealing device



July 11, 1950 c. MILLER BAG SEALING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 4, 1948 CEc/L MILLEB,

IN V EN TOR.

BY I

/ 1Q77'02NE'V July 11, 1950 c. MILLER BAG SEALING DEVICE 2 Sheet heet 2 Filed 001:. 4 1948 INVE RI p ENE! Patented July 11, 1950 7 Claims.

BAG SEALING DEVICE Cecil Miller, Pomona, Calif., assignor to Consumer-Pak Machine 00., Pomona, Calif., a corporation of California;

Application October 4, 1948, Serial No. 52,705

The present invention relates generally to means for closing and securing bags'and packages of fruit and the like, and more particularly, to a device for securing the drawstrings of a bag or sack after the latter has been filled with materials such asfr'uit, vegetables, and the like.

In the past, it has been the practice to secure drawstring bags either by tying the drawstrings together after they have been drawn tight to close the mouth of the bag, or to secure them by means of a wire clip clamped around the twostrings adjacent the bag to prevent the drawstring from loosening and opening the mouth of the bag. The securing method which involves tying with strings has the disadvantage that it is extremely time-consuming and does not adapt itself for use in quantity packing methods where large numbers of'bags are moved by a conveyor belt past a filling machine and thereafter removed from the belt, closed and secured by an operator.

The wire clip method, above described, has the disadvantage of requiring somewhat complicated :machinery in order'to form and attach the wire clips, and furthermore is expensive in requiring the use of metalwire as an attachment member.

,Another disadvantage of the wire clip attach- :ment means is that the clips are diflicult to re- :move when it is desired to open the bag and :remove the contents.

I have found that drawstrings of bags of the class above described may be adequately, quickly, :and cheaply secured by the use of a pair of ad- Lhesive tapes applied face-to-face across the two dra'wstrings adjacent the mouth of the bag. Apjparatus' for applying tapes in the manner just described is set forth and claimed in the copending applicationof Cecil Miller and Rudolf Mangold, Serial No. 22,185, filed'April 20, 1948, and entitled Bag Sealer. The present invention is an improvement in apparatus for applying adhesive tape as described in the above co-pending application' A desirable characteristic in bag-sealing apparatus of the class under discussion is that it be possible to lift the bag to be sealed by the tape so applied from a supply reel or reels con-- ,tained within the apparatus. It is a further desirable characteristic'in such apparatus that,

after the drawstrings have been sealed as just described, they may bereleased to dropout of the unit with the attachment tapes secured thereto. I I

Bearing in mind the earlier described disadvantages of previous bag-sealing methods and apparatus, and the desirable characteristics above set forth, it is a major object of my invention to provide bag-sealing apparatus which may be operated to secure the drawstrings of a filled bag or sack by the simple operation of grasping the drawstrings and introducing the same into the apparatus.

Itis another object of my invention to provide bag-sealing apparatus of the class described which makesuse of face-to-face adhesive tape pieces to seal the 'drawstrings.

Still another object of my invention is to provide bag-sealing apparatus of the class described wherein the tape pieces used to seal the drawstrings are automatically severed from supply rolls by a cutting member in mechanism deriving its power from the motion of the drawstrings themselves as they are moved into the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the class described wherein the power required'to sever the tape pieces is accumulated over a substantial length 'of movement of the drawstrings and thereafter rapidly delivered to the severing means.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from consideration of the following detailed description of a bag-sealing device embodying the invention, such consideration being given likewise to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is afrontperspective view of the bagsealing device and a bag about to be inserted therein by an operator Figure 2 is an enlarged'fragmentary View of the drawstrings after the securing thereof by the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the device illustrated in Figure 1;

views, being an enlarged fragmentary portion of Figure 5 with'the parts therein shown in various sequential positions during the operation of the device; and

Figure 9 is an elevational section taken on the line 9-9 inrigu'res.

In the drawings, I have designated the sealing apparatus as a whole by the reference character ID, a bag to be sealed by the reference character H, and the drawstrings thereof by the character I 2. The unit In is comprised of a lower base plate l5, 3. cover plate 16 secured to the lower plate by attachment members [8, drive wheels 20 and 2| positioned above and below the base and cover plates, and certain tape-applying and severing mechanism contained in a flat space between the plates l5 and 16, said mechanism to be described in more detail hereinafter.

The base plate I5 is formed with a pair of attachment brackets I! at the rear edge of the plate 15, whereby the entire unit may be secured to a vertical wall [4 to project horizontally therefrom, as shown in Figure 1.

Before proceeding to a detailed description of the structure, the operation of the unit is briefly described as follows, A :bag 1| filled with fruit, vegetables, or other material to be packed, is lifted by the drawstrings l2 thereof, the weight of the material in the bag I l drawing the strings tight and closing the mouth of the bag. Holding the bag II by the drawstrings !2, the latter are inserted in the unit through a slot 19 formed between the lobe-like left and right hand portions of the unit l0.

As the drawstrings l2 move rearwardly along the slot l9, they encounter one of the peripheral teeth in'eachof a pair of drive wheels 29 and 2| mounted on a common shaft 22, and positioned above and below the unit 1'0, as previously described. Continued rearward motion of the drawstring I2 rotates the wheels 20 and 21, and hence the shaft 22, in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 3).

As will hereinafter be described, the aforesaid counter-clockwise rotation of the wheels 20 and 2I cocks and releases a reciprocal cutting knife which operates to sever from a supply reel within the unit, a pair of adhesive tape pieces which have, by the motion of the drawstrings 12, been applied thereto. As can be seen best in Figures 3 and 5, the rearward end of the slot 19 is enlarged to form a circular-aperture extending vertically through the plates l5 and 18 so that when the drawstrings l2 reach the rearward end of the slot 19, they may be released, dropping the bag H with the drawstrings -I2 thereod sealedtogether. The appearance of the drawstrings 1.2 with the severed tape pieces l-3 secured thereto is illustrated in Figure 2.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the tape applying and severing mechanism, reference should be had to Figures 5 through 9.

The :tape from which the sealing pieces J3 are severed is supplied from two rolls and 26 mounted on fixed vertical spindles 21 and 28, between the base plate 15 and the cover plate IS. The tape on the supply rolls25-and 25 in the present embodiment is :of the pressure adhering type and is wound on the rolls with the adherentsurface in, so that when the tape is-drawn forwardly off of the rolls 25 and 26 along the paths indicated by the reference characters 29 and 3a,, and over the guide rollers 3| and 32, the forward :ends of the tapes 33 and 34 are brought together at an apex aligned with the slot l9 and, because of the adherent adjacent surfaces, the tape portions 33 and 34 are very securely attached to each other. A pair of flat :leaf springs 35 and .36, mounted to the base plate 15, are positioned and adapted to slidingly engage the non-adherent outer surfaces of the tape portions 33 and 34, whereby to press the same tightly together at the apex thereof.

When the tape rolls 25 and 2B are depleted, they may be replaced by removing the cover plate 16 which is loosened by detaching the securing members [8 from the lower plate (5. The two replacement rolls of tape .25 and 26 are then placed on the vertical spindles 21 and 28, and the forward ends of the tapes stuck together and placed between the pressure springs 35 and 36.

Thus, it will be seen, from an examination of Figures 6 and '7, that as the drawstrings l2 are moved rearwardly along the slot l9, they encounter the mutually adhering tape portions 33 and 34 at the apex contact point thereof, and as the drawstrings 12 pass between the forward pressure ends of the leaf springs 35 and 36, the tapes are pressed into secure adherent contact with the drawstrings I2, and that furthermore, the tapes are pressed together to the rear of the drawstrings as they pass between the springs 35 and 36.

Immediately to the rear of the pressure contact point of the springs 35 a 3B, is a shearing blade 4! which is mounted to a transversely reciprocal carriage member '42, and positioned and adapted to have shearing engagement with a shear block 43 along a shearing edge 39 of the latter member.

The carriage 42 is reciprccally'carr'ied'by a pair of vertical pins 44 secured in the plate l5, which pins are engaged by slots 45 formed in the body of the carriage 42. The blade 41 is removably secured to the carriage 4'2 and normally projects to the right across the slot [9.

Thus it will be seen that only when the shear blade 4! is withdrawn to the left-hand or retracted position, illustrated in Figure 7, can the tapes and drawstrings pass rearwardly into the terminal aperture 40.

Power to move the'reciprocal carriage 42 and the shearing blade 4.! carried thereby to the retracted position shown in Figure '7 is derived as follows. In Figure 6, it will be noted that the drawstrings, in their rearward travel along the slot 19, have encountered one of the teeth of the star-like drive wheel 21. Although not visible in Figure 6, the drawstrings 1'2 simultaneously encounter a corresponding tooth in the upper drive wheel 20. Thus, continued rearward motion of the strings l2 tends to rotate "the wheels 20 and 2!, and hence the shaft 22, 'in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated in Figure "7. It will be noted that the drive shaft '22 is square, and is received in a square hole-i111 the hub of the upper drive wheel 20., whereby to effect a driving connection between these two parts. The lower drive wheel 211s similarly secured to the "shaft 22.

Mounted .to the shaft 2'2,jin'terrnediate between its ends, and positioned within thejspa'ce between the lower and upper plates l 5 l6, is 'a ratchetlike Wheel 4.7, having 11 l fii 'hPqinting in a counter-clockwise direction. "The wheel "'41 is formed with a square aperture whereby to have drivin connection with the shaft '22.

Formed in the lower edge of the reciprocal member A2 is a pawl-like downward extension adapted to be engaged by the teeth on the ratchet wheel 41.. llhus, as the drive .assenib ly, cpmpr'is- .ing the wheels ,2]! and 21, the shaft 22, and the intermediate ratchet wheel '1", {is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, the engagement of .one of the teeth .of theratohet 41 "with the'pawl .member '46 drives the carriage E2 to thej' left,

. tion' of the ratchetwheelill'khowever, the tooth thereof then engaged with the pawl member 46 slips off the latter, permitting the carriage and the blade ll carried thereby to be driven sharp- 1y to the right by the pressure of a torsion coil spring 48 mounted on a fixed pivot 49 and anchored by a slotted lug 50 formed in the base plate l5.

As seen best in Figure 9, the shear block 43 is formed with a tape-receiving groove adjacent the inner edge thereof, whereby to hold the tape portions 33 and 34 in position to be completely severed by the blade 4|. It has been found that a clean severance of the tape is best achieved by slightly pointing the forward end of the blade, as indicated in Figure 9.

The operation of the tape applying and severing mechanism is described in detail as follows.

As the drawstrings l2 move rearward, they enwhereupon the carriage is released and driven to the right to sever the tape pieces l3, as above described. It will be noted that the cocking, i. e., the motion of the carriage 42 to the left, takes place over a considerable length of travel of the strings [2. Thus, the tension on the latter members required to operate the cooking mechanism is not inordinately great at any particular moment, but the moderate tension required to flex the spring 48 is delivered over a considerable length of motion. This arrangement makes for a very smooth and efiortless operation of the device.

While the apparatus shown and described herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is capable of considerable modification without.

departing from the spirit of the invention. For this reason, I do not mean to be limited to the form shown and described, but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described for sealing a closure member: means to support a pair of rolls of adhesive tape and to support extended lengths of said tape, said lengths having the outer ends thereof adhesively secured to each other at a juncture point, said tape supporting means including a pair of pressure members engaged with said tape at said juncture, said pressure members being adapted to yieldingly press said tapes together with adhesive surfaces thereof in mutually adhering contact; means to guide said closure member past said juncture and between said pressure members whereby to adhesively attach said tapes around said closure member and withdraw additional lengths of tape from said rolls; reciprocal cutting means positioned and adapted to sever portions from said tape lengths at a point beyond said juncture point whereby to leave said surrounding portions attached to said closure member and the outer ends of said additional lengths between said pressure members; and means adjacent said guide means engageable with said closure member moving therein to derive power therefrom, said engageable means being connected to said reciprocal means to move the same in response to =motion'of said closure'mmbei whereby to sever said tape portions upon a predetermined motion of said closure member beyond said severing point.

2.-'In apparatus of the class described for sealing a closure member: means to support a pair of rolls of adhesive tape and to support extended lengths of said tape, said lengths having the outer ends thereof adhesively secured to each other at a juncture point, said tape supporting means including a pair of pressure members engaged with said tape at said juncture, said pressure members being adapted to yieldingly press said tapes together with adhesive surfaces there-- of in mutually adhering contact; means to guide said closure member in a path between said pressure members whereby to adhesively attach said tapes'around said member and withdraw additional-lengths of tape from said rollsjcutting means including a reciprocal blade on one side of said path at a point beyond said pressure members and a shearing member engageable by said blade on the other side of said path whereby reciprocal motion of said blade moves the same across said path to sever portions of said mutually adhering tapes from said lengths; and means adjacent said path engageable with said closure member to derive power from motion thereof along a predetermined length of said path, said engageable means being connected to said reciprocal means to move the latter in response to motion of said closure member whereby to sever said tape portions upon movement of said closure member along said path past said blade.

3. In apparatus of the class described for sealing a closure member: means to support a pair of tapes, each having one adhesive face, said. tapes being supported with the adhesive faces toward each other and spacedapart; a pair of opposed pressure members slidably engaged with non-adhesive faces of said tapes whereby to per- -mit passage of said tapes therebetween, said pressure members being adapted to yieldingly sure members; means forminga channel to guide said closure member between said tapes and between said pressure members whereby movement of said closure member along said channel first adhesively engages the same with said tapes and thereafter carries said tapes between said pressure members to secure said closure member between said tapes; andreciprocating cutting means having an actuating member disposed across said channel to derive power from said moving closure member and a cutting edge moved by said actuating member positioned and adapted to sever mutually adhering portions of said tapes with said closure member secured therebetween.

4. In apparatus of the class described for sealing a closure member: means to support a pair of tapes, each having one adhesive face, said tapes being supported with the adhesive faces toward each other and spaced apart; a pair of opposed pressure members slidably engaged with non-adhesive faces of said tapes whereby to permit passage of said tapes therebetween, said pressure members being adapted to yieldingly press said tapes into face-to-face adherent contact as the same are moved between said pressure members; channel means to guide said closure member between said tapes and between said pressure members whereby movement of said closuremember alOng said channel first adhesive- 1y engages the same with said tape and therean mus after carries said tapes between said pressure members 'to secure saidclosure member between said tapes; and cutting means -f or said tapes, :said cutting means being positioned and adapted to sever said mutually adhering tapes at a point beyond said pressure members and including a movable actuating :member positioned and adapted to be engaged by said closure member at a point in said channel means ahead of said pressure members, said actuating member being further adapted to be moved by said closure member during said passage of the latter between said pressure members whereby to operate said cutting means to sever said tapes with said closure member secured between the severed portions thereof.

5. -Apparatus for securing the drawstrings of a. filled and closed bag comprising: a horizontal lb'ase :plat'e having a channel formed therein to guide a pair of vertically extending drawstrings v along a horizontal path inwardly alongsaid-channel; a pair of opposed flat spring members mounted on said plate on opposite :sides "of said channel, said fiatls'pring member's beingadapted to exert pressure toward each other; a pair of movable lengths of adhesive tape, said tape lengths being extended inwardly along either side of said channel with inward ends thereof between said spring members whereby :said tapes are pressed into mutually adhering contact by said spring members -'as said tapes are moved inwardly along said channel, and whereby :said drawstrings, when moved along said rchannel, first adhesively engage said tapes and thereafter draw the-same between said spring members to secure said drawstrings between said mutually adhering tapes; a'carri'agemounted on saidplate for reciprocal motiontran'sverse of said-path; a blade securedto said carriage-and :positioned to cross said'channel at a point'b'eyondsaid spring members upon motion of said carriage in one direction'whereb'y' to sever said mutually adhering tapes in said chann'el; Jan actuating :spring anchored to said *plate and adapted to urge said carriage'in said'direction tosever said tapes; a toothed wheel mounted on" said." plate for rotation about a vertical axis and positioned with at least one of -said teeth thereof "projecting across said channel whereby said drawstrings -enga'ge and retate said wheel upon inwardtmotion'ofrsaid drawstring's; and an intermittently released driving connection between said wheel and=carriage including a' ratchet connected to rotate with i said toothed wheel-ands, pawl on' saidcarriage engageable with .teeth on-said ratchet, said ratchet and paw] being positioned and adapted to first move said carriage ,a direction to stress said spring during a predetermined parto'f the rotation of said toothed wheel, and to -thereafteridisengage to release said carriage and permit .said spring tomove the same to sever said tapes with said drawstrings secured between the seVeredportionsthereof.

6. .The construction set forth in claim '5 further characterized by having a pair of -toothed wheels interconnected for concurrent rotation,

=-one positioned above and the other positioned below said plate, with teeth thereof projecting across-said channel to simultaneously [engage-said drawstrings upon inward motion thereof.

'7. Inapparatus -of the class described for sealinga closure member: a supply of adhesive tape having :a length extended therefrom; a pair of opposed, ,yieldable pressure .membersiclampingly engaged with said tape adjacent an outer end thereof to securesaid length in said extended position; aguide to restrain saidclosurelmember to motion along a path intersecting said tape lengthand extending between and beyondsaid pressure members :whereby said closure member when; moved along-said pathffirstrengages an adhesi-ve side of said tape to adhere thereto, and

thereafterpasses between said pressure members 'to'draw saicl length of tape between said pressure members; a reciprocal tcutter positioned ad- .jacent apoint intsaid pathbeyondsaidpressure member, said -:cutter being movably mounted "for motion across said path atsaid point to sever said tape thereat; and an actuating member .01)-

-eratively-.conne.cted -to said cutter, isaidtac'tuating member being disposedacross-said pathandmovable-in the direction thereof vwherebyito .be moved by said closure member moving in said path, to actuate rsaid cutter and-sever said .tape.

CECIL MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following .references.are of record .in the me of thispatent:

UN'ITED: ST-ATES :PA'IENTS Number Name iDate 1,371,829 Weaver Mar. 15,1921 2,110,683 Scholer Mars8, 1938 23317943 Salfisberg :A r. $27, 1943 2404317 Salfisberg .;Iuly116, 1946 21407;64-1 fAnderson -nSept. 17,1946 2,409,724 "Walter'et al Oct.122,1946 

